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Different Leagues, Different Rules

July 31, 2018

Simply knowing how your league works can put you ahead of the competition.

I don't watch a lot of reality television, but I really enjoy Shark Tank. I like seeing entrepreneurs display new products or services, and either flourish or collapse based on the grilling they receive from the experts.

Their prospects of success are always tied to their level of preparedness, and I think you'll see the same thing in your drafts and auctions this season.

If you watch the show, it's not hard to figure out what hopefuls need to know during their segment. What are the sales? What's the cost to make the product and what's the sale price? What's the cost of customer acquisition? Is there anything proprietary? What will they do with the money? How did they come to their company's valuation?

These are the basic things you need to know before you go on the show. But for some reason, plenty of folks don't have a clue as to the details of their own business. How in the world can they be successful if they don't know the basics? We laugh when we see how unprepared they are. It's silly, right?

It sure is. But it also happens in fantasy leagues every year. When you go into a new season, you need to know the details of each league. Is it a PPR league? How many teams make the playoffs? How is the draft order determined?

Everyone knows that stuff, don't they? Maybe. But there are other answers owners don't always know, and they're just as important. Does the waiver wire reset each week, or can you hold onto your priority? Is there a maximum number of receivers you can have on your roster at one time? Are you required to draft a kicker or defense, or can you stock up on other positions and cut someone prior to week 1? What are the tiebreakers for determining a playoff spot? What are the specific milestone or distance bonuses, if any?

If you're in 10 leagues this year, you probably have 10 different sets of rules and settings. Do you know the answers to all of those questions for each league? If you do, congratulations. But many owners don't know, or make assumptions that turn out to be wrong. And it can cost them later in the year, when it's too late to adjust.

I've seen smart owners assume a league used decimal scoring only to be disappointed in week 1. I've heard people complain when they thought they had locked up a playoff spot, only to learn about an unexpected tiebreaker. And while they knew it was a PPR league, they didn't know that tight ends get two points per catch. And who could have expected that quarterback rushing touchdowns count double?

Not knowing the nuances of a league is like not knowing how much profit your company made on last year's sales. What will the Shark Tank do to an owner who is unprepared? Probably the same thing a competitive league will do. It won't be pretty, and it's going to cost them a shot at some money.

A business owner can have a great product and a lot of passion, but will walk away without a deal if they don't know their numbers. Likewise, a fantasy owner can have a great strategy and a good eye for talent, but won't have success if they don't know the parameters of that specific league.

I'm sure everyone knows the details of their favorite league. But what about the last one on your list? You know, the one you picked up at the last minute because your brother-in-law's work league needed a 12th owner. Does the quarterback get a point for every 20 passing yards, or is it 50? Do you know all of their rules? And if you don't, why bother playing?

It sounds like Fantasy 101, but with so many leagues and the ease of joining them, it's worth repeating: Know the details of every league you join. Before you do any preparations, know what makes each league different, and adjust your strategy to take advantage of their quirks. Don't assume anything.

Well, you can make one assumption: Assume that other owners will be lazy and not know every detail. In a 12-team league, you can bet that a couple owners don't know exactly how it works. And in many leagues, it's more than a couple. Don't be one of those owners. Your first task should be to look over the rules and scoring system and make a note of whatever looks unusual. Then adjust your strategy to take advantage of those specific rules.

Specifically, check scoring, trades and the waiver wire. Those are the main areas where leagues can have weird rules or unexpected surprises. This research is the kind of pre-draft preparation that can really help you. Do it now and you won't have to suffer later.

Has your league had owners who didn't know how something worked and complained once the season started? Have you ever been burned by an unusual rule or scoring system, or have you ever taken advantage of one? Share your thoughts below.

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A little feedback from a long time customer.

Our fantasy pool is entering its 25th year and I have used multiple books and on-line tools over the years.

I have locked on to Fantasy Index as my go to for the last 5 years and have won the pool 3 of those years and finished no lower than 4th.

Interesting to see how much more accurate you were at the end of the year compared to other books my competitors used.

Having it in a format that allows me to work the forecasts to match our scoring system and then receive updates as the season approaches is invaluable. Whoever your sources are for the forecasts are the best. Hang on to them. Thanks for the help!!

Peter M.London, Ontario, Canada

I did receive the updated draft ranking from you guys in plenty of time for my draft that night. My draft report gave me an A+ and predicted me to go 14-0 and win my league! I just want to say thank you for the excellent customer service that your company provided me. When I first started playing fantasy football more than 15 years ago, I used to buy as many fantasy football magazines as I could find. It wasnʼt long before I only purchased Fantasy Football Index each year. It is by far the most comprehensive, well written fantasy football magazine on the market. Also, I almost always rank in the top three in my fantasy football leagues, and won my league last year. Thank you to you and all of your great team. You have a customer for life!

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Richard M.Imperial, Neb.

I just wanted to send everyone at Fantasy Football Index an apology. Since 2003 (Ricky Williams cover), I've protected my source of information and have gone out of my way to hide Fantasy Football Index from my leagues prying eyes. I've won championships in leagues and money playing Daily Fantasy and your Training Camp updates are the highlight of my summer and a recurring order for me every single season. I just wanted to Thank You and everyone there (customer service, the writers, janitors, secretaries and assistants) for your hard work and dedication.

You are appreciated and valued part of my Fantasy Football Operations department even if i never speak your name in fear that others in my league will discover the wondrous bounty of knowledge contained in your pages…

From the bottom of a champion's heart,

Dave M.Elma, N.Y.

I wanted to send a quick note and thank you for your great magazine! The information you provide, has allowed me to win my league 3 years in a row!

The payoff in the league is not bad, six hundred dollars to be exact, but it is those all important bragging rights that really make it fun!

I epically enjoyed this last issue because you included all the covers for the past 30 years, I did not buy 87, and 88, but all the rest I have purchased.

All I have to do is read and then plug and play, thanks again for doing all the work so I don't have to, except for cash the check of course! Lol.

I will be continue to purchase your magazine, and recommend it to others, although I don't like to give away my secret!

I typically don't write emails to magazines, but after 3 wins in a row, and others which I did not list, I felt like you would like to know.

Thanks again to you and your staff,

Darrell W.Holt, Mich.

I wanted to let you know I finished my season going 16-0 winning my league, breaking every record in our 19 year history along the way. A special thank you to FI for the insightful knowledge as it provided me much help along the way.

Ryan M.Lynnwood, Wash.

You guys do a great job. I got laughed at by a few people at the draft but they're not laughing now. I'm leading the league in record (8-1) and PF thus far.

John W.Aylett, Va.

And a side note… we've got a re-draft 16-team, 20 players drafted league (drafting water boys by the 17th round) that I've won 2 years in a row. Nobody's ever done that in 21 years… using your cheat sheet. it's an old school league that used to draft out of piles of magazines.

Thanks again,

Todd S.Grand Junction, Colo.

This is my ninth year competing with my two very savey adult children and their 11 regulars to make it a 14 team draft with a $200 bid limit. Your SuperFanatic package has put me into the 6 team play- offs 4 out of the 8 years and there is no way I could compete with these guys without my cheat sheets! They still have no idea how I can be so lucky every year :-) Cheaters do prosper!!!!

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I have used your product for the past 18 years or so… Every now and then I will be tempted and look at what other magazines have to offer, quickly realizing no one comes close.

In addition to the magazine, I started buying the weekly updates years ago when my dad taught me a lesson. The draft came and dad was sitting in the 12 hole for his pick. He told me he felt very comfortable about who he was going to select but would not tell me who his prized gem was to be. I was doubtful. The pick? Priest Holmes (his first dynamite year). I remember telling my dad, "that is a decent pick but they plan to pull him at the goal line." Ever the teacher, dad explained he had purchased the Fantasy Football Index update and read Holmes would get the goal line carries. "Update?", I asked. That was 2002 and Holmes had 21 rushing TDs and Dad won the title! Lesson learned.

By the way, I have made the title game for the last 5 years in a row. Thanks for the detailed, hard work and an great product!

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Mailbag

Ian Allan answers your fantasy football questions. In this edition: Will Damien Williams put up top-10 fantasy numbers in 2019? Is Green Bay's running game about to get a lot better? Changes to the Fantasy Index Blackout game. And mulling the right scoring and lineup rules.